How to build a startup advisory board (or join one)

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. 📊 CLIMATE DATARobots: Building a net-zero future (not just stealing jobs)2. 👏 CEO TO KNOWBill Flederbach @ ClimeCo (45M tons of CO2e reduced, avoided, or removed)3. 💸 INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTHoward Fischer @ Gratitude Railroad (from hedge fund to impact investor)4. 🤖 AI INSIGHTPeople are OK with AI taking 58% of our jobs.5. ⛰️ MINDFUL MOMENTBelieve it or not, data shows the world is getting better.------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding--Cover image source: Friis and Riley at Harvard University. 2025.

Discover why Shell, Eni, and MCJ invested in this molten borate carbon capture tech led by an MIT PhD.🎧 Episode SummaryMantel Capture is a Boston-based climate technology company developing the first molten-salt (molten borate) carbon capture system designed to operate at the high temperatures found inside boilers, kilns, and furnaces. Their technology cuts the energy penalty of carbon capture by recovering useful heat (steam or electricity) and can reduce costs by roughly half compared with conventional systems. Mantel raised $30 million in Series A funding, led by Shell Ventures and Eni Next, to deploy a demonstration plant at a pulp & paper mill that will capture around 1,800 tons of CO₂ per year.Cam Halliday holds multiple degrees from MIT, including a PhD in Chemical Engineering, an MS in Chemical Engineering, and an MBA from MIT Sloan. Originally from the UK, he co-founded Mantel in 2022 after years of carbon capture research in MIT’s Hatton Lab. You’ll also be lulled into submission by his very sophisticated British accent, especially in contrast to my Southern drawl. 😅------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. 📊 CLIMATE DATA$7 trillion on data centers by 20302. 💡 CEO TO KNOWTod Hynes @ Maigent & MIT3. 💸 INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTKareem Dabbagh & Joe Goodman @ VoLo Earth4. 🤖 AI INSIGHTAI as “Cognitive Reframing Coach”5. ⛰️ MINDFUL MOMENT“Despair is a failure of imagination.”------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding--Photo credit: McKinsey & Company. "The cost of compute: A $7 trillion race to scale data centers." 2025.

Learn from two climate tech VC investors sharing startup lessons in energy, buildings, mobility, and industry.🎧 Episode SummaryVoLo Earth Ventures is an early-stage climate tech venture capital firm that invests in scalable innovations in clean energy, mobility, built environment, and industry. They provide returns-first catalytic capital and hands-on leadership to help founders decarbonize global systems. They raised two funds and invested in 36+ companies.Kareem Dabbagh and Joe Goodman are the co-founders and Managing Partners.Kareem has over 15 years of experience in renewable energy and clean technology, spanning startups, project finance, and grid modernization. Prior to VoLo Earth, Kareem held leadership roles at SolarCity, Sunrun, and Aurora Solar, and supported early-stage ventures through Rocky Mountain Institute and Cleantech Open. Joe brings two decades of experience in energy markets, carbon policy, and sustainability finance. Prior to VoLo Earth, Joe worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute, the U.S. Department of Energy, and multiple advisory roles advancing decarbonization strategies for utilities and governments. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and loves connecting rigorous climate science with pragmatic venture investment.------------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. CLIMATE DATAWhich cities have the most startup funding? 2. CEO TO KNOWToussaint Wattinne @ Upway — $60M for sustainable mobility3. INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTTim Krysiek @ Climate Technology Fund of MassMutual Ventures4. AI INSIGHTDon’t be scared: “100 million jobs erased by AI in the USA in 10 years.” 5. MINDFUL MOMENT“Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.”--------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Serial entrepreneurs, MIT professors, and climate tech experts share their blueprint for building startups in this new book.🎧 Episode SummaryTod Hynes is the Co-founder and CEO of Maigent, Board Chairman at Woodwell Climate Research Center, and Senior Lecturer at MIT.He has co-founded several organizations and companies and has raised over $500 million. He has also helped hundreds of teams of students launch their own climate and energy companies through the MIT Climate & Energy Ventures (CEV) class and MIT Climate & Energy Prize.Tod helped the Woodwell Climate Research Center raise matching funds and win a $41 million grant through the Audacious Project for their Permafrost Pathways Project. Only 18% of IPCC Earth Systems models include emissions from permafrost, which is like leaving out a Japan or even the U.S. worth of emissions. His newest venture, Maigent, leverages AI to accelerate climate solutions by turning us into super connectors to the right investors and partners needed for scale.I could try to summarize his other 44 “Experiences” on LinkedIn or how we have 364 mutual connections, but you get the idea!Learn more:MIT Course: https://www.climateandenergyventures.comNew Book Website: https://www.de4cev.comMaigent Website: https://maigent.aiWoodwell Website: https://www.woodwellclimate.orgBook coauthors include veteran entrepreneur Bill Aulet, climate tech expert Ben Soltoff, and the additional faculty behind MIT's Climate & Energy Ventures course, Francis O'Sullivan, and Libby Wayman.--------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Tackling superpollutants, carbon insetting, digital carbon, and ESG strategy consulting before climate tech was cool.🎧 Episode SummaryClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization and an Inc. Best Workplaces Company. Since 2009, they have evolved from a pioneer in nitrous oxide abatement projects to a global leader in the environmental commodities market. Bill Flederbach is a Sustainability Hero Award Winner 2025, a former executive with MGM and AgCert, and an active member of the Rotary Club, implementing their four guiding principles across ClimeCo: Is it the truthIs it fair to all concernedWill it build goodwill and better friendshipsWill it be beneficial to all concerned🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my Climate CEOs newsletter. Join 40,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

With 40 million electric bikes worldwide, we need Upway's marketplace to refurbish and resell them at scale. 🎧 Episode SummaryUpway is a marketplace for refurbished electric bikes in eight countries. Backed by $60M in VC funding, including household names like Sequoia, they’ve sold over 80,000 bikes across hundreds of OEMs at 40% discounts to new e-bikes.Toussaint brings almost a decade of experience from Uber in the EU before starting Upway. And simply listening to his rich French accent may increase your cool factor by 20 points. I know it did for me.🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Enjoy this brief primer on how to establish a board of advisors for your startup (or negotiate a seat on one). In our EFI climate CEO peer group, we have a growing library of these hot topic primers. To get more like this, join 40,000 who get my Climate CEOs newsletter. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com